Kano Country, a 'recognized nation' eligible to participate in World Government's meetings.
Of course, now that the World Government has collapsed, these distinctions hardly matter.
From Chinjao's explanation, Sasuke roughly understood the other party's intention.
The situation wasn't complicated. Simply put, a large number of weapons seemed to be flowing out from a New World country called [Dressrosa].
These large quantities of weapons were directly supplied to Kano Country's enemies, causing their nation to suffer losses in war.
Therefore, Kano Country's King, 'Ramen', wanted the leader of the domestic Happo Navy, the former pirate with a 500,000,000 Berry bounty, Chinjao, to personally go to the New World to investigate the matter and, if conditions permitted, destroy as much as possible the underground weapons factories.
Simply put, this matter was unrelated to justice, more like a commission.
"This really feels familiar..."
Sasuke sighed. He felt he was beginning to understand Naruto's perspective.
In the Ninja World, weren't the Ninjas of the great Ninja Villages also playing such roles, driven by others to perform destruction, assassination, escort, espionage, and other missions?
Tasks like protecting the bridge builder in the Land of Waves, that kind of 'just' mission, were extremely rare.
After Naruto left the village, most of the missions he and Kakashi carried out were assassinations or exterminations.
Otherwise, his skills wouldn't have improved so quickly.
After all, compared to hard training, life-and-death battles were what truly strengthened one.
"...Alright. I'll go take a look with you."
Understanding was one thing, but Sasuke also had his own ideas.
Just as Naruto would give special instructions to Karin but not worry about Sasuke, Sasuke himself was very had his own ideas… to the point of stubbornness.
Once his views were formed, they were hard to change.
This was completely different from Karin, who viewed Naruto as her center.
Seeing Sasuke agree, the smile on Chinjao's face widened. He then waved his hand, shouting to the surroundings.
"Excellent! Looks like our operation has a new member."
"Then, let's have a party!"
Thump!
"Hey! Old man!! Don't decide on your own! The fight between him and me isn't over yet!"
Sai, who had been knocked into the spectator stands earlier, swept away the rubble and gripped his naginata, adopting an attacking stance.
Seeing this, Chinjao frowned, prepared to scold Sai, but Sasuke stopped him.
"It's fine. Let him come."
"It won't waste much time anyway."
Sasuke's words were clearly more arrogant. When Naruto wasn't around, this guy's the aura of a try-hard cool guy rapidly grew.
Hearing this, Chinjao's eyes flickered, then he took a few steps back, clearing the center of the battlefield.
"Kid, although saying this might sound like boasting, my grandson isn't that easy to deal with when he gets serious."
"I don't want to have to bring a wounded person along during the upcoming operation."
Sasuke didn't even blink, replying casually.
"Don't worry. I'll be careful not to hurt him."
Hearing this, Sai on the stands didn't get angry but laughed instead, directly pointing his naginata at Sasuke.
"You really dare to say that!"
"Draw your weapon. Don't say I didn't give you a chance."
Following the other's gaze, Sasuke looked at the sword hanging at his waist.
Kusanagi Sword (Remastered Enhanced Edition).
"Fine."
A flash of white light. The Kusanagi Sword was somehow already in Sasuke's hand. He stood the straight blade before him, with one hand behind his back.
"This kid... the aura is completely different."
Chinjao was an experienced old pirate who had seen it all. He could tell the difference between Sasuke with sword and without sword at a glance.
'It seemed this kid must have learned sword techniques from someone else.'
'This feeling was completely different from that guy Naruto's swordsmanship.'
"Hahh!!"
Sai had no such reservations. Seeing Sasuke draw his sword, he decisively leaped up, coated his naginata with Armament Haki, delivering a powerful downward slash.
Clang-
The Kusanagi Sword blocked this downward slash in a manner that greatly defied the principle of leverage.
"It's not over yet!"
Seeing his attack blocked, Sai pulled back his blade, then unleashed a dense series of thrusts.
Sasuke held the sword with one hand, his figure like a phantom, easily dodging Sai's subsequent dense attacks. Then, as if casually plucking a flower, he 'placed' the Kusanagi Sword against Sai's neck.
"How about it?"
The blade shimmered with a cold gleam… its sharpness was beyond doubt. A little more pressure would be enough to cut Old Sai's throat.
At this point, everyone basically understood there was no need to continue the fight.
But Old Sai was also a stubborn guy.
He directly ignored the imminent threat, the end of his naginata heavily smashing down.
"Heh..."
Sasuke wasn't angry either, nimbly dodging amidst the rubble sent flying.
Looking back, ever since leaving the village with Naruto, what level of opponents had they fought?
Almost every time was defeating the strong despite being weaker.
The opponents were either Tailed Beast's Jinchuriki, some behind-the-scenes big villain, or long-famous great pirates.
Now it was finally his turn to 'bully the weak'.
To be honest, this feeling wasn't bad.
'No wonder that guy Naruto liked to pick on us when he had nothing else to do.'
"Don't underestimate me! Hasshoken - Martial Leg Heel!"
Like a pole vaulter, Sai used his naginata to launch himself up, an axe-style downward stomp heavily smashing towards Sasuke's head.
His foot was covered with a thick layer of Haki. Under intense emotional fluctuations, his combat power could actually further increase.
"Going back to Hasshoken in the end-"
Sasuke felt somewhat speechless about Sai still using fists and feet even after taking out a weapon.
"If that's the case..."
"Hasshoken - Martial Fangs Mallet!"
Not using Chakra or Devil Fruit transformation, Sasuke's sword-holding right hand pulled back. Then, the fist kept behind his back swung like a pendulum from below to above.
Thud-
Apart from Chinjao, everyone watching couldn't help but cover their ears.
It was the fluctuations generated by Hasshoken interfering with each other, forming a low, deep sound that created an illusion of resonance in one's internal organs.
These shockwaves could not only turn into a spear penetrating enemy armor and flesh but also serve as a shield against attacks.
Unfortunately, compared to Sai's 'shield', Sasuke's "spear" was clearly sharper.
"Ugh!"
With Sai's cry of pain, he was knocked flying, landing back on the spectator stands.
Victory decided.
...
Meanwhile, Dressrosa, the Royal Palace.
Orochimaru, who should have been at the laboratory on Punk Hazard with Caesar Clown, was instead openly and brazenly in the meeting hall of the family executives.
The Nagi Nagi no Mi user, Diamante, sent by Doflamingo to monitor him, stood by his side like a zombie, eyes devoid of light.
"O... Orochimaru... what are you trying to do!"
One of the Donquixote Family's executives, Giolla, the Ato Ato no Mi user, clutched her stomach, collapsed on the ground in pain.
Around her, executives like Trebol and Pica were in a similar state.
"Treacherous bastard... when Young Master returns... he won't let you off!"
The massive-bodied Pica, with his extremely shrill voice, said through gritted teeth.
However, Orochimaru turned a deaf ear to these barks of defeated dogs.
He simply gently stroked Sugar's green hair with his fingers, with a smile hanging at the corner of his mouth.